Betty Fern (Woodall) Howard died October 13, 2020, at Oakley, KS at age
99. Her husband Frank Wilson Howard Jr. preceded her in death on Nov.
4, 2010. They married in Colby, KS on September 20, 1942.
Betty and her husband lived on a wheat and cattle farm seven miles north
of Oakley, where they raised five children. Betty served as Logan
County Hospital director of nursing for 30 years. She was an active
member of the United Methodist Church, enjoyed the Homemakers, Sunshine
Club, Red Hat Ladies and Logan County Hospital retired personnel
lunches. She volunteered at the Second Time Around Shop and for church
events and activities.
A calm, friendly, kind and loving wife, mother, friend, grandmother, and
great-grandmother, Betty was cherished by many. She had a deep-seated
faith, tremendous energy and a steel backbone that helped her cope with
difficult challenges including a son’s death, caring for her
parents-in-law for years as they aged and then her husband during his
declining years. She also gave a helping hand to the farm operations.
Born on September 14, 1921, in Bent County, Colorado, to Ruth Mae Beach
and Ammy W. Woodall, Betty grew up in Hutchinson and Colby, KS. She
graduated from Colby High School and then from Grace Hospital School of
Nursing, in Hutchinson, where she was first place in her class
academically. However, the graduation honor was awarded by
administrators to the second highest student, as they knew Betty planned
to marry after her graduation. They determined the honor should go to
someone who planned to start working as a nurse. When questioned about
the incident Betty in her typical gracious way said, “She was a very
deserving student too.” The nursing school classmates kept in close
contact throughout their lives.
Betty’s father also opposed her marriage. He feared Frank, who had been
drafted into the army, would be sent to Europe during WWII and never
return. Betty, who had faith he would return, was able to join Frank
when he was stationed in California and Texas and was expecting their
first child when his orders for Europe came. After a number of
assignments, and landing on D-Day plus 13, Frank arrived back home when
their son was almost two years old.
Married for 68 years, Betty and Frank raised five children, Frank
(Normi), Peoria, IL; Carolyn (Robert Rice), Carmel, CA; Linda (Tom
West), Durango, CO; Elaine (Alan Adams) Salida, CO. David, of Oakley,
predeceased his parents in 2004, as did two siblings, James Woodall, of
Colby, and Zella Mae Crane, of Kerman, CA. Betty is survived by a
sister, Donna (Bob Purdum), of Simi Valley, CA, and two nephews, Jim and
Chris Woodall, who reside at the Howard farm. Their presence enabled
Frank and Betty to continue living on the farm though their upper 80s.
Betty enjoyed fishing trips to Kansas lakes with her husband and many
trips throughout the United States including Hawaii and Alaska and
foreign travel to Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Austria, Italy
and India. She traveled to India at age 91 for a granddaughter’s wedding
and a three-week tour of the country. The couple had snowbird winters
in Texas for several years in their fifth-wheeler.
Her grandchildren are Michael, Scott, Pam, Jim, Diane, Chuck, Mariah,
Amy and Mark. Betty has 16-great-grandchildren, a number of beloved
nieces and nephews and several step grandsons and granddaughters.
Betty died following a COVID illness. Her family appreciates the care
given her by the staff of the Logan County Senior Living Center where
she resided the past four years.
Services are pending.